Biography Writing Project The Minutemen After reading The Minutemen by Lucia Raatma, students will write a four- paragraph narrative in which they describe the life of a minuteman. Students are to imagine they are one of the minutemen during the American Revolution. They should write an account of the different things they encountered and experienced. Students should remember to include important details including the Battles of Lexington and Concord, when this event occurred, and how the minutemen probably felt during battle.
Example of Exemplary Work:
Narrative on the Minutemen
The minutemen were one of the most famous groups of soldiers in American history. These men were part-time soldiers who were expected to be ready to fight during the American Revolution in a moment’s notice. These men were anywhere from sixteen to sixty years old. These men trained for battle for many hours each week.
One of the most famous minutemen was Paul Revere. On April 18, 1775, he made his famous ride to alert the town that the British were about to attack. If it were not for men like Revere, the American Revolution may have ended much differently. One of the battles the minutemen fought in was the Battle of Lexington. The British arrived to battle in fancy uniforms and carrying new weapons. The Minutemen were in regular clothing and carried old muskets. Unfortunately, eight Minutemen died in this battle and ten were wounded.
Another key battle in the American Revolution was the Battle of Concord. During this battle, soldiers in both armies were followed by drummers and fife players. There were nearly four hundred Minutemen in this battle and not nearly as many redcoats. Only two Minutemen were killed in this battle. The Battle of Concord helped the American colonies and the minutemen realize that they could possibly beat the British army.
The Minutemen were most certainly courageous and bold individuals. They learned most of their fighting techniques from battles with the Indians. The Minutemen were not as involved in the war after the battles of Lexington and Concord. Even though they were not involved with the war for a long period of time, the Minutemen were probably some of the nation’s most organized and prepared soldiers. If it were not for people like the Minutemen, the United States may not have been victorious in the American Revolution.
Expository Writing Project
The Battle of Yorktown
After reading The Battle of Yorktown by Wendy Vierow, students will create a newspaper article that describes a day during this battle. Students should be sure to include the appropriate date, where this battle occurred, and anything new or exciting that happened during this day in battle. This book is a great reference for students to use while writing their newspaper article. Students should create a “sloppy copy” and their final newspaper article should be typed and include a picture from battle.
Newspaper Article
October 9, 1781
Today was a huge day for the Battle of Yorktown. During the past few days of battle, the American and French soldiers have been working hard to dig trenches around the city of Yorktown. They have been trying to find places to place their cannons. Many soldiers have been anxious to begin firing on the British, but today is the day when the firing began. At 3:00 P.M.,the French began firing cannons at the British. The American soldiers soon followed this move and gunshots were heard all night. General Cornwallis was seen sending messages to General Clinton asking for his help. Unfortunately, nine Americans and fifteen French soldiers were killed today. At this time the American and French troops are still surround the redcoats.
Persuasive Writing Project
If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution
This book informs the readers that one of the main causes of the American Revolution was the fact that the colonists wanted their freedom from the British. In this writing assignment, students are to write a four-paragraph persuasive essay in which they are convincing the British to give them their freedom. Students should be sure to include a strong position statement that explains why they feel they deserve their freedom and at least two reasons they feel they deserve this freedom. Students should include strong emotions and feelings as well as a good conclusion.
Persuasive Essay on American Freedom
The American colonies definitely deserve their freedom from the British. We should not have to continue to pay taxes to the British although we do not still live there. It is not fair for the British to continue to control the way we trade. We should not have to follow so many rules because we are now our own independent nation.
We came to this nation for our own freedom and the right to make our own decisions. It is crazy that we have to pay a number of taxes for items such as newspapers, card games, sugar, diplomas, and even stamps. We work extremely hard in the American colonies and all our money should not go back to the British.
As an independent nation, we should have the right to trade with whomever we please. We appreciate the British helping and protecting us as we begin our new nation, but we really want our independence. It is also not fair for the American colonies to have to provide housing and food for British soldiers. We want to be civil with the British, but we feel that they are making this impossible.
We feel that war should be the absolute last option. We have tried to be cordial and express the way we feel with the British, but we feel that no one will listen to us. If this continues, unfortunately we will be forced to go to war.
The Minutemen
After reading The Minutemen by Lucia Raatma, students will write a four- paragraph narrative in which they describe the life of a minuteman. Students are to imagine they are one of the minutemen during the American Revolution. They should write an account of the different things they encountered and experienced. Students should remember to include important details including the Battles of Lexington and Concord, when this event occurred, and how the minutemen probably felt during battle.
Example of Exemplary Work:
Narrative on the Minutemen
The minutemen were one of the most famous groups of soldiers in American history. These men were part-time soldiers who were expected to be ready to fight during the American Revolution in a moment’s notice. These men were anywhere from sixteen to sixty years old. These men trained for battle for many hours each week.
One of the most famous minutemen was Paul Revere. On April 18, 1775, he made his famous ride to alert the town that the British were about to attack. If it were not for men like Revere, the American Revolution may have ended much differently. One of the battles the minutemen fought in was the Battle of Lexington. The British arrived to battle in fancy uniforms and carrying new weapons. The Minutemen were in regular clothing and carried old muskets. Unfortunately, eight Minutemen died in this battle and ten were wounded.
Another key battle in the American Revolution was the Battle of Concord. During this battle, soldiers in both armies were followed by drummers and fife players. There were nearly four hundred Minutemen in this battle and not nearly as many redcoats. Only two Minutemen were killed in this battle. The Battle of Concord helped the American colonies and the minutemen realize that they could possibly beat the British army.
The Minutemen were most certainly courageous and bold individuals. They learned most of their fighting techniques from battles with the Indians. The Minutemen were not as involved in the war after the battles of Lexington and Concord. Even though they were not involved with the war for a long period of time, the Minutemen were probably some of the nation’s most organized and prepared soldiers. If it were not for people like the Minutemen, the United States may not have been victorious in the American Revolution.
Expository Writing Project
The Battle of Yorktown
After reading The Battle of Yorktown by Wendy Vierow, students will create a newspaper article that describes a day during this battle. Students should be sure to include the appropriate date, where this battle occurred, and anything new or exciting that happened during this day in battle. This book is a great reference for students to use while writing their newspaper article. Students should create a “sloppy copy” and their final newspaper article should be typed and include a picture from battle.
Newspaper Article
October 9, 1781
Today was a huge day for the Battle of Yorktown. During the past few days of battle, the American and French soldiers have been working hard to dig trenches around the city of Yorktown. They have been trying to find places to place their cannons. Many soldiers have been anxious to begin firing on the British, but today is the day when the firing began. At 3:00 P.M.,the French began firing cannons at the British. The American soldiers soon followed this move and gunshots were heard all night. General Cornwallis was seen sending messages to General Clinton asking for his help. Unfortunately, nine Americans and fifteen French soldiers were killed today. At this time the American and French troops are still surround the redcoats.
Persuasive Writing Project
If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution
This book informs the readers that one of the main causes of the American Revolution was the fact that the colonists wanted their freedom from the British. In this writing assignment, students are to write a four-paragraph persuasive essay in which they are convincing the British to give them their freedom. Students should be sure to include a strong position statement that explains why they feel they deserve their freedom and at least two reasons they feel they deserve this freedom. Students should include strong emotions and feelings as well as a good conclusion.
Persuasive Essay on American Freedom
The American colonies definitely deserve their freedom from the British. We should not have to continue to pay taxes to the British although we do not still live there. It is not fair for the British to continue to control the way we trade. We should not have to follow so many rules because we are now our own independent nation.
We came to this nation for our own freedom and the right to make our own decisions. It is crazy that we have to pay a number of taxes for items such as newspapers, card games, sugar, diplomas, and even stamps. We work extremely hard in the American colonies and all our money should not go back to the British.
As an independent nation, we should have the right to trade with whomever we please. We appreciate the British helping and protecting us as we begin our new nation, but we really want our independence. It is also not fair for the American colonies to have to provide housing and food for British soldiers. We want to be civil with the British, but we feel that they are making this impossible.
We feel that war should be the absolute last option. We have tried to be cordial and express the way we feel with the British, but we feel that no one will listen to us. If this continues, unfortunately we will be forced to go to war.